51.   But the Korean peace process faltered last year when US President George W. Bush took office.

52.   The United States armed itself with patience Tuesday after talks to launch Korean peace negotiations stalled, confident that North Korea would soon agree to discuss peace.

53.   The US official accompanying Clinton said the United States has been considering ways to restart the stalled Korean peace process.

54.   The United States and South Korea have urged North Korea and its chief ally China to enter into four-power talks on a permanent Korean peace settlement.

55.   North Korea prepared to deliver on Friday its reply to a proposal to negotiate a Korean peace treaty, as the United States and South Korea expected a breakthrough.

56.   Over the food aid, Albright remined Ikeda that Pyongyang was prepared to make exploratory contact on four-way Korean peace talks which also involve China.

57.   The four-way talks -- comprising both Koreas, China, and the United States -- would be aimed at finding a comprehensive Korean peace treaty.